Pentagon says Beijing offered assurances as US tightens blockade and warns Tehran talks could quickly give way to renewed strikes
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenTeresa Elena FrontadoPublished: 10:42pm, 16 Apr 2026China has assured the United States that it will not supply weapons to Iran during the current ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday, as Washington stepped up pressure on Tehran to agree to a broader peace deal brokered by Pakistan.
Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said Beijing had conveyed the assurance directly, amid heightened concerns in Washington about external support for Iran during the fragile pause in fighting.
“Trump has a strong and direct relationship with Xi. They communicated on that, and China said that is not going to happen,” Hegseth said, referring to reports of a possible Chinese arms shipment to Iran.
The remarks came as senior US military officials warned that American forces in the region were ready to resume combat operations if negotiations fail.
“The US military remains postured and ready to resume combat operations at literally a moment’s notice,” said General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, adding that assets were in place to restart large-scale operations should Iran reject a deal.
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